HoosierFan1994

Bingo. I get the feeling Coach DeVries won't be going after "5 Star guys" like Woodson tried. Outside of Duke there aren't many "5 stars" in the Final 4 this weekend anyway.

Keep in mind that while it's likely we know a good part of the roster by the end of the week, it's going to take some time to fill all 13 spots..most likely 12. Coach is going to be selective which is a GOOD thing. A hard reset was needed in 2017 and in 2021..didn't happen. Granted a different era but Miller kept all the Crean players/recruits in 2017. Look how that turned out. Woodson kept 9 Archie players/recruits (yes, Trayce was worthy keeping) and a few assistants. Indiana snuck into the tournament in 2022. Not all those guys were worth keeping. Let's see what this roster looks like in about 3 weeks. That seems like the median as far as commits go. It's very likely guys we will get haven't even entered the portal yet. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to get Conwell, Dix, Flory, Enright, etc. But none of those 4 guys are bigger than the program. It's only a problem if those are the only guys Coach is going after...which isn't the case.

Insane Stat by Kenpom. Since 2002, these four teams all ranked inside the top 7 in their Net Rankings. #1 Duke #2 2015 Kentucky #3 2021 Gonzaga #4 Houston #5 2024 UConn #6 Florida #7 Auburn I know there is a lot of talk about no upsets and what not, but I am excited for Saturday. First Final Four in a while where I can see any of the 4 teams winning. Whoever cuts down the nets Monday deserves it. Whoever doesn't, it'll be heartbreaking considering what a loaded roster each team has. All 4 have the potential to get back, but I doubt they have as good of a roster as they do now.

Tells you how different portal recruiting is from high school recruiting. Usually, not always, it is not a good sign when a player visits another another school. I remember Ware was supposed to visit Alabama right after IU. When he ended up canceling it we knew he was IU bound.

None whatsoever. You'd have 4 starters and 2 legit reserves off the bench..unless Enright is the starter. IMO this is the way to do it. Find your top guys first. Then, worry about role players.

Man what an exciting week for the sport and IU fans. I would think we know close to half the roster this week (Including Sisley/Devries) with the rev sharing coming up. On top of that portal madness (Yes it needs to be controlled) and a loaded final four.

Would be insane to have three 40% 3 point shooters on the floor at once. When was the last time that happened here, 2016?

Not counting Tucker and Sisley, easily over.

Agree. I think it is common sense for the head coach of Indiana University to be there, even if maybe one-two guys have a shot of playing at IU. He saw a heck of a 4A game.

Curious..what changes would you like to see regarding the transfer portal? For me..and some of these may not be reasonable. 1) Portal opens one week after the National Title game. Most summer classes begin in early June. Players would have plenty of time to pick their school. 2) You must stay at your original school for two years (Fr. and So..includes redshirt). 3) You get a one time transfer without having to sit out. If you transfer a second time, you must sit out a year. 4) You get 5 years to play 4. A redshirt season means you miss more than 50% of your games that year. 5) Only exceptions to 2 and 3...your Head Coach leaves or you have to transfer close to home due to circumstances. EX: It can't be a kid from Indy who wants to transfer to Auburn from a west coast school. 6) I think in the IHSAA if you turn 20 years old during the season you are ineligible. I think in the NCAA if you turn 25 maybe 26 during the season, you are no longer eligible. I don't think it's a good thing to see 25/26 year olds playing college sports. It REALLY hurts incoming Freshman. I've heard this from several families with potential D1 athletes. Change needs to happen. I have zero issue with players transferring/making money. But it is out of control.

In the Hoosiers Connect interview with Coach, he mentioned he's basically been on the phone non-stop. I have to think Coach Devries knows the following: 1) He has a pretty good idea who his staff will be. 2) He has a decent idea of which players are coming with him from WVU (recruits too). 3) I think he also has an idea of who is out there and who hasn't officially entered the portal yet.

Didn't he want to come to IU last year but like everyone else didn't want to play for Woodson?

I agree. I don't see the others. Just makes sense. It's out of control. It will kill Mid-Majors and hurt potential players in the future.

Haven't been on as much this week (Spring Break) but my biggest takeaway listening to DeVries is this: I don't think he's going to bring it a bunch of the highest ranked portal guys. His son, if healthy, will be one of the best pickups in the country. For the sake of this years team, he may have to bring in a few more of the top guys. That being said, it's clear he's going after fit. Take Enright as an example. It probably won't excite a lot, but he could be a guy that sees 20-25 minutes a game. I don't think it's a coincidence all our guards have decided to transfer out. For the future, I don't think we will see what we saw two years ago with all the 5 stars visiting (Harper, Queen, McNeeley, Fland, etc). I have a feeling he's going to go after guys ranked in the 50-100 range and maybe an occasional one and done if it makes sense.

Big Ten just got better by the 3 coaches just brought in. I can see McCollum taking Iowa to the next level (Winning Big Ten Titles, making deep tournament runs, improving NIL, etc). That's a really good hire. Obviously love the Devries hire. Medved I think can do well at Minnesota but it'll probably take a few years. The reason the SEC is dominating college hoops is because they not only have good coaches, but good program builders. I think the Big Ten just brought 3 very good program builders in.

Dumb question by me: But what the heck happened to Chris Mack? Did a really good job at Xavier. If not for Covid that Louisville team in 2020 probably at least makes the Sweet 16. Him staying at Charleston makes me think he wasn't a top candidate at Xavier this time around.

My thoughts after the first round: What we are seeing in college football is what we ultimately are seeing in college hoops. College Football is ran by the Big Ten, SEC, and Notre Dame. They have all the top recruiting classes. 8 of the 12 teams in the playoff were from that group. College Hoops is run by the Big Ten, SEC, and Big 12. They have 22 of the 32 teams left. I kinda thought the portal COULD help mid majors. You may see someone leave an SEC school and go to a mid-major and explode. That does happen. However, I think the gap is just getting bigger. Really McNeese and Drake were the only upsets. In Evansville UE and USI were both awful this year. Their best players hit the portal. Tells you all you need to know about Mid-Majors. Don't get me wrong, I am not a fan when a Loyola, George Mason, or VCU makes the final four. They run out of gas and it usually makes for a crappy Elite 8 or Final 4 game. As a fan I want to see good games in the later round. That being said, I think the Thursday/Friday of the NCAA Tournament is all about a McNeese or a Drake. Just sad there aren't as many this year. Bottom line: Just don't see how a fan base/university/alumni can get excited about a mid-major program when the players leave every year and the coach leaves for a better job once they have success.

If Coach can bring his recruits from WVU along with Sisley..that's a solid class.

I think WVU had a guard transfer in that had to sit out the whole year. Think his name is Jayden Stone? Never played a full season. Career 34% three point shooter. Wonder if he would join Devries at IU.

I know it's time to move on, but listening to Coach Devries it makes me so mad that IU didn't hire a competent coach (like him) in 2021. Have no clue how Coach Devries will do when it's all said and done, but you can tell he is a program builder and can win in the modern era.

If Cignetti had been a meh hire, I personally think it would have been difficult for Woodson to have been let go given the support from Buckner and the boys. The Cignetti hire gave Scott Dolson major credibility.

Is the "Do not contact tag" new this year?

hahaha..."If you're interested in Darian Devries, you get on a plane and come see Darian Devries" That quote should've been a warning sign 4 years ago.

Ahh then maybe not. Thought one of the Assembly Call guys felt confident. We will see. Never know with the NCAA! I see both sides. One of my co-workers son is being recruited by some D1 schools for baseball. I know she is ready for all of this to end. Guys getting 6 years and beyond is crazy! I am a fan of you get one redshirt year and that's it.

It sounds like it's likely he gets the waiver and is back next year. Might be a fight.